Cheap Dinner Ideas for 2
Budget Meals Under $10
Discover 50+ delicious, budget-friendly dinner recipes perfect for couples. Save money without sacrificing flavor with meals starting at just $3.50 for two people.
Cheap Dinner Ideas by Budget
Under $5 Total
Spaghetti Aglio e Olio
Bean & Rice Bowl
Egg Fried Rice
Pasta e Fagioli
Under $7 Total
Chicken Stir Fry
Tuna Pasta Bake
Lentil Curry
Quesadillas
Under $10 Total
Beef Stir Fry
Fish & Chips (Homemade)
Chicken Burrito Bowl
Pork Chop Dinner
Smart Shopping & Saving Tips
Shop Sales & Clearance
Plan meals around weekly specials and clearance meat
- Check store flyers before shopping
- Buy clearance meat and freeze immediately
- Shop at multiple stores for best deals
- Use store apps for exclusive discounts
Buy in Bulk
Purchase staples in larger quantities for better per-unit pricing
- Rice, beans, and pasta store well
- Split bulk purchases with friends
- Calculate cost per serving, not per package
- Freeze extra portions of cooked meals
Seasonal Shopping
Choose ingredients that are in season for lower prices
- Root vegetables are cheap in winter
- Fresh herbs grow easily on windowsills
- Frozen vegetables often cost less than fresh
- Canned tomatoes are consistently affordable
Protein Strategies
Smart protein choices that don't break the budget
- Chicken thighs cost less than breasts
- Eggs are the most affordable protein
- Beans and lentils provide cheap protein
- Canned tuna and salmon on sale
Budget-Friendly Pantry Essentials
Stock these affordable ingredients to always have cheap dinner options available
grains
- Rice (white & brown)
- Pasta (various shapes)
- Quinoa
- Oats
proteins
- Eggs
- Canned tuna
- Dried beans/lentils
- Peanut butter
pantry Staples
- Olive oil
- Onions
- Garlic
- Canned tomatoes
seasonings
- Salt & pepper
- Paprika
- Cumin
- Dried herbs
freezer
- Frozen vegetables
- Frozen berries
- Ground meat
- Chicken thighs
Save Even More with Meal Prep
Sunday Prep for the Week
Prepare base ingredients to save time and money
- Cook a big batch of rice or quinoa
- Prep vegetables for quick stir-fries
- Make homemade salad dressing
- Portion out snacks and sides
Leftover Transformation
Turn yesterday's dinner into today's lunch
- Roast chicken → chicken salad sandwiches
- Pasta → pasta salad for lunch
- Rice → fried rice the next day
- Roasted vegetables → frittata ingredients
Batch Cooking Favorites
Make large portions and freeze half
- Double your curry recipe
- Make a big pot of chili
- Prepare freezer-friendly casseroles
- Cook ground meat in large batches
More Budget Cooking Tools
AI Recipe Generator
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Cheap Easy Meals for 2
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Budget Cooking Tips
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Meal Planner
Plan budget meals for the whole week
Food Picker
Filter meals by your budget constraints
Shopping List Generator
Create budget shopping lists
Start Saving Money on Dinner Tonight
With these budget-friendly recipes and tips, you can enjoy delicious dinners for two without breaking the bank.